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Santa Barbara Suspense #1
What She Gave Away
Revenge is anything but sweet in this twisty thriller about two women with very different lives locked in the same deadly game.
Imagining the best way to destroy a person’s happiness is Crystal Love’s favorite game. Devious and unpolished, the plus-sized loan analyst couldn’t be more out of place in her new town of Santa Barbara, where the beautifully manicured women never age and the ocean views stretch farther than the million-dollar lawns. And yet her eye for the power dynamics at play in this tony community is dead accurate.
Kathi Wright, on the other hand, has made it her life’s work to fit in with the plastic people who surround her. But when her husband—a wealthy bank president—dies suddenly, she’s left with nothing. Then the FBI shows up, asking questions she can’t answer and freezing assets she once took for granted.
While Kathi struggles to outrun the mess caused by her husband’s mysterious death, Crystal seems focused on her game. But why? And who are her targets?
Spanning two years and told in Crystal’s and Kathi’s alternating voices, this tautly plotted novel reveals the power of choice and the price of revenge.
Imagining the best way to destroy a person’s happiness is Crystal Love’s favorite game. Devious and unpolished, the plus-sized loan analyst couldn’t be more out of place in her new town of Santa Barbara, where the beautifully manicured women never age and the ocean views stretch farther than the million-dollar lawns. And yet her eye for the power dynamics at play in this tony community is dead accurate.
Kathi Wright, on the other hand, has made it her life’s work to fit in with the plastic people who surround her. But when her husband—a wealthy bank president—dies suddenly, she’s left with nothing. Then the FBI shows up, asking questions she can’t answer and freezing assets she once took for granted.
While Kathi struggles to outrun the mess caused by her husband’s mysterious death, Crystal seems focused on her game. But why? And who are her targets?
Spanning two years and told in Crystal’s and Kathi’s alternating voices, this tautly plotted novel reveals the power of choice and the price of revenge.
348 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2018
805 people are currently reading
1795 people want to read
About the author
Catharine Riggs
4 books196 followersThriller writer | Author of the twin thrillers WHAT SHE GAVE AWAY and WHAT SHE NEVER SAID
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
August 21, 2018
Crystal Love is intelligent, devious, scheming, and fights any inklings of empathy or guilt that might pop into her head for the misfortune of others, whether she caused that misfortune directly or as collateral damage. Crystal is a large overweight woman and this fact is always in Crystal's mind, coloring how she views herself and how she knows others view her. The setting of Santa Barbara plays a part in how Crystal views herself because she is among the rich, whose view of others demands that one is the trimmest, best dressed, perfectly fake woman, that money can buy.
Then there is Kathi Wright, who is one of those rich, fake, "perfect" people, until her bank president husband dies and all those trappings fall to the ground and leave her with frozen assets and the FBI on her doorsteps, demanding information about the fraud that her husband had conducted against the bank and other people. Kathy has always hid behind her husband and his controlling demands and had no idea of the state of their financial affairs. While everyone she's known drops or shuns her because she no longer fits their perfectly fake lives, Kathi is bewildered that the life she thought she was living is even faker than she ever imagined.
The book is told in alternating viewpoints of Crystal and Kathi with timelines that finally diverge at the end of the book. As we read Kathi's "now" timeline, we start with Crystal's timeline at about a year before Kathi's starts. This allows us to slowly learn how Crystal has engineered the events that lead Kathi to be under the eye of the FBI and without her husband and former trappings.
I could not relate to either woman and it was impossible for me to take a side. Neither woman has many redeeming qualities, especially qualities that really matter in life, such as kindness and concern for other's well-being. But still, it was interesting to watch as two timelines make their way towards each other so we can see what Crystal has done to Kathi Wright and her husband, and why she did those things.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC.
Then there is Kathi Wright, who is one of those rich, fake, "perfect" people, until her bank president husband dies and all those trappings fall to the ground and leave her with frozen assets and the FBI on her doorsteps, demanding information about the fraud that her husband had conducted against the bank and other people. Kathy has always hid behind her husband and his controlling demands and had no idea of the state of their financial affairs. While everyone she's known drops or shuns her because she no longer fits their perfectly fake lives, Kathi is bewildered that the life she thought she was living is even faker than she ever imagined.
The book is told in alternating viewpoints of Crystal and Kathi with timelines that finally diverge at the end of the book. As we read Kathi's "now" timeline, we start with Crystal's timeline at about a year before Kathi's starts. This allows us to slowly learn how Crystal has engineered the events that lead Kathi to be under the eye of the FBI and without her husband and former trappings.
I could not relate to either woman and it was impossible for me to take a side. Neither woman has many redeeming qualities, especially qualities that really matter in life, such as kindness and concern for other's well-being. But still, it was interesting to watch as two timelines make their way towards each other so we can see what Crystal has done to Kathi Wright and her husband, and why she did those things.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC.
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November 2, 2018It says a lot about an author when they can create wholly unsympathetic characters and still keep the reader riveted to the story. This is the case in “What She Gave Away”, the debut novel by Catharine Riggs. Shifting first-person narratives toggle between recently widowed Kathi Wright, a woman who had been essentially propped up by her environment her entire adult life, and Crystal Love, a malevolent schemer with a queen-size chip on her shoulder to match the rest of her plus-size figure.
It is tantalizing to watch two creatures from opposite ends of society as Crystal’s manipulations draw their separate orbits closer. Take every meanspirited thought you’ve ever had about someone in your whole life and that’ll give you a good idea what goes through Crystal’s mind on any given day. But Crystal’s no idle creature; she’s the unsuspected maestro orchestrating chaos from the audits department of a small bank, a very good source for the ammo she needs to achieve her revenge.
It’s also rather eerie to watch the bubble-headed Kathi wander in and out of Crystal’s sights. She may be about as dumb as a stump, but underneath the booze and superficial thoughts is a large heart. She never thinks a bad thing about anyone because she has no B.S. detector, which is precisely why her life is such a mess.
Layers of complexities weave their way along an unsettling, suspenseful path, the casualties piling up along the way to a completely unexpected ending. This book has it all: drama, intrigue, people you love to hate, people you’re glad see take a fall, and a thoroughly surprising, satisfying resolution.
It is tantalizing to watch two creatures from opposite ends of society as Crystal’s manipulations draw their separate orbits closer. Take every meanspirited thought you’ve ever had about someone in your whole life and that’ll give you a good idea what goes through Crystal’s mind on any given day. But Crystal’s no idle creature; she’s the unsuspected maestro orchestrating chaos from the audits department of a small bank, a very good source for the ammo she needs to achieve her revenge.
It’s also rather eerie to watch the bubble-headed Kathi wander in and out of Crystal’s sights. She may be about as dumb as a stump, but underneath the booze and superficial thoughts is a large heart. She never thinks a bad thing about anyone because she has no B.S. detector, which is precisely why her life is such a mess.
Layers of complexities weave their way along an unsettling, suspenseful path, the casualties piling up along the way to a completely unexpected ending. This book has it all: drama, intrigue, people you love to hate, people you’re glad see take a fall, and a thoroughly surprising, satisfying resolution.
October 12, 2018
Follow Crystal, a plus size woman, as she takes revenge on Kathi, the skinny wife of a bank’s president. This thriller is set in California and is about not only about Crystal’s revenge but size issues, lifestyle choices, workplace politics, corruption, misuse of power and banking.
I liked how this story is told in alternating chapters, so you get the story from both Crystal’s and Kathi’s sides. The main timeframe is just 2 years but frustratingly Kathi includes backstory from her old notebooks along the way.
I liked how Catharine created her character Crystal to be fat. So many novels dwell on thin women and fail to represent the demographics of contemporary society with its increased levels of obesity. Readers like to relate to the characters and having a fat lead character is a bonus.
The characterization of Crystal and Kathi was good but the timeframe switched about a little too much for my liking. Although Crystal was supposed to be the bad guy, I liked her more than Kathi, probably because of her attitude. For example, in Crystal’s chapter she writes…
He glances at my belly with a question in his eyes. I know what he’s thinking, I carry a lot of weight in my gut. But he’s taken his HR classes. He knows the rules. That’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. I do my best to sound earnest.
...Or it could just be me, as I find fat women more fun to be with?
I think this novel should appeal to both genders and I was not put off by it having two female lead characters.
I found the plot average and the pace plodding. By the end of the story, I got to know Crystal and Kathi really well. I liked how the book explored lifestyles and how people relate to one another.
What She Gave Away was an okay read, it was like meeting someone in passing and enjoying the conversation you shared. As a novel it was NOT outstanding but it was pleasant to read. This is Catharine’s debut novel and it shows that she has a talent that should grow. I found this book a WARM read, so it gets 3 stars from me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Thomas & Mercer for giving me a copy of this book on the understanding that I provide an honest review.
I liked how this story is told in alternating chapters, so you get the story from both Crystal’s and Kathi’s sides. The main timeframe is just 2 years but frustratingly Kathi includes backstory from her old notebooks along the way.
I liked how Catharine created her character Crystal to be fat. So many novels dwell on thin women and fail to represent the demographics of contemporary society with its increased levels of obesity. Readers like to relate to the characters and having a fat lead character is a bonus.
The characterization of Crystal and Kathi was good but the timeframe switched about a little too much for my liking. Although Crystal was supposed to be the bad guy, I liked her more than Kathi, probably because of her attitude. For example, in Crystal’s chapter she writes…
He glances at my belly with a question in his eyes. I know what he’s thinking, I carry a lot of weight in my gut. But he’s taken his HR classes. He knows the rules. That’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. I do my best to sound earnest.
...Or it could just be me, as I find fat women more fun to be with?
I think this novel should appeal to both genders and I was not put off by it having two female lead characters.
I found the plot average and the pace plodding. By the end of the story, I got to know Crystal and Kathi really well. I liked how the book explored lifestyles and how people relate to one another.
What She Gave Away was an okay read, it was like meeting someone in passing and enjoying the conversation you shared. As a novel it was NOT outstanding but it was pleasant to read. This is Catharine’s debut novel and it shows that she has a talent that should grow. I found this book a WARM read, so it gets 3 stars from me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Thomas & Mercer for giving me a copy of this book on the understanding that I provide an honest review.
August 23, 2019
Fun, quick listen. A bit too predictable, however.
August 29, 2018
With a very intriguing synopsis this was one of those books where you start with page one, then chapter one...then just a little bit more...just one more page...oh, my really? Well, I gotta see what will happen when she...oh, no...it can't be, how did I not see it sooner...WTF...OK, one last page and then I'm going to sleep...OK, really? How can this be?...oh well, I guess with four more chapters left I better see this through to avoid any potential nightmares.
Yes, nightmares. This book gets really action-adventure with ---gone bad etc. No spoilers here. But it's also hysterical at times and has a way with cliffhangers that will storm you through in a few hours.
The best thing about this read, in my opinion, was the sense of place. I actually Googled Montecito to see real pictures in the end. And it's every bit as classy and under-the-surface mischievous celebrity as Ms Riggs describes.
Except, there was recently a mudslide that killed people and ruined most of the area, so unfortunately right now it might look more like this:
So sadly, this book has almost a historic value now.
Women's fiction with high levels of suspense at its best.
Thank you, Tomas & Mercer, for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Yes, nightmares. This book gets really action-adventure with ---gone bad etc. No spoilers here. But it's also hysterical at times and has a way with cliffhangers that will storm you through in a few hours.
The best thing about this read, in my opinion, was the sense of place. I actually Googled Montecito to see real pictures in the end. And it's every bit as classy and under-the-surface mischievous celebrity as Ms Riggs describes.
Except, there was recently a mudslide that killed people and ruined most of the area, so unfortunately right now it might look more like this:
So sadly, this book has almost a historic value now.
Women's fiction with high levels of suspense at its best.
Thank you, Tomas & Mercer, for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 28, 2019
Talk about a quick read. I stayed up late reading this one and could not go to sleep until I'd finished. I'm giving no spoilers but I will say that as suspense reads go, this one plays the tension well throughout. Crystal and Katie are the dual narrators here that are thoroughly unlikeable (one is possibly very unreliable because she's downing boxes of wine like it's sport). The twists and turns come pretty quickly and so do the clues as to connections and where true blame should be assessed in the ledger of bad deeds before this culminates in a final showdown.
If I have one complaint it's that the ending is a bit pat and happy ending-esque. Now, I've nothing against happy endings and everything being tied up in a bow but it just wasn't something I needed in this story of suspense. I think the ending without the epilogue would have provided a more powerful read overall. Your mileage may vary.
This is my first read by Catharine Riggs and I'd read another (I plan on reading the next in this series). Recommended.
If I have one complaint it's that the ending is a bit pat and happy ending-esque. Now, I've nothing against happy endings and everything being tied up in a bow but it just wasn't something I needed in this story of suspense. I think the ending without the epilogue would have provided a more powerful read overall. Your mileage may vary.
This is my first read by Catharine Riggs and I'd read another (I plan on reading the next in this series). Recommended.
September 14, 2018
I know that this book has received a LOT of praise. I did not enjoy it. I tried. I wasn't invested in any of characters, and there were a few things that REALLY got under my skin - like the bitter, angry fat-lady business. Crystal had plenty of actual reasons to be angry and bitter, so why did we need to be constantly reminded that she's bitter, angry and fat. And she eats when she's feeling extra bitter, so... you guessed it... she's fat. I dislike fat as a plot device. It feels so patronizing. All the "fat-words" used to describe her every action was infuriating. Like, why is she always "lumbering" FFS FAT PEOPLE CAN WALK JUST LIKE NON-FAT PEOPLE.
I was also not at all into the wrap-up of the story. A lot of overly-convenient solutions happening there.
Overall, if you think this story might be your thing based on the synopsis, I say go for it. More power to you. No judgment here. A lot of folks seem to really like this book, I just don't count myself among them.
I was also not at all into the wrap-up of the story. A lot of overly-convenient solutions happening there.
Overall, if you think this story might be your thing based on the synopsis, I say go for it. More power to you. No judgment here. A lot of folks seem to really like this book, I just don't count myself among them.
October 16, 2018
I listened to this on audiobook which I highly recommend against. The narration made me dislike all of the characters from the beginning. The story line is interesting but really handled poorly. It was difficult to like any of the characters which made continuing painful. One of the characters is so vapid it made me want to scream. Hopefully readers will enjoy this more than I did.
October 12, 2018
Catharine Riggs (whom I was lucky enough to meet at a conference) delivers a wallop of a debut in WHAT SHE GAVE AWAY. Told from alternating points of view, this novel delivers the twists and white-knuckle suspense we've come to expect, but at its heart is a story of two very complex and very different women. As Riggs deftly explores the unsettling patience of the past and its secrets, readers are left wondering when it will finally catch up - and just how bad the fallout will be.
While my heart absolutely broke for Kathi - a widow who suddenly finds herself in high-stakes danger from enemies she knows and those she's yet to uncover - it was Crystal's engrossing and utterly original character I found myself rooting for - often when I shouldn't have been, given how wickedly devious she is. Something I should mention to my therapist? Probably.
A fabulously gripping novel that has me on pins and needles for what else Riggs has in store for us!
While my heart absolutely broke for Kathi - a widow who suddenly finds herself in high-stakes danger from enemies she knows and those she's yet to uncover - it was Crystal's engrossing and utterly original character I found myself rooting for - often when I shouldn't have been, given how wickedly devious she is. Something I should mention to my therapist? Probably.
A fabulously gripping novel that has me on pins and needles for what else Riggs has in store for us!
March 23, 2019
As far as Thrillers go, this one didn't feel quite as menacing as some, but there was something about the two detestable female lead characters that really pulled me in and made the pages keep turning.
I don't think I've ever read a book where I hated both main characters so much, and that's including Gone Girl. Crystal and Kathi are both just awful. Crystal for all of her revenge motives and Kathi for being a wishy washy poor excuse for a human. She is the wimpiest worst excuse for a female ever! As you learn more about her marriage through her chapters and even through Crystal's mechanization, you almost feel sorry for her, but then again there's that nagging part of you that wonders how someone that was obviously educated (uh she was offered a job with a publishing house) could toss her life away for a jerk like Rich.
Where Kathi is gullible, Crystal is manipulative and scheming. She had a bad childhood, but that doesn't excuse her actions. She's a sociopath. She ends up with 2 strange friends, a fellow loan analyst and a homeless woman that's quasi-stalking her.
How everything wraps up is a bit too perfect and nice and almost HEA for a thriller. It left me shaking my head a bit, but I still have to say, I enjoyed this book and truthfully it was probably one of the best books I've read this year so far.
I don't think I've ever read a book where I hated both main characters so much, and that's including Gone Girl. Crystal and Kathi are both just awful. Crystal for all of her revenge motives and Kathi for being a wishy washy poor excuse for a human. She is the wimpiest worst excuse for a female ever! As you learn more about her marriage through her chapters and even through Crystal's mechanization, you almost feel sorry for her, but then again there's that nagging part of you that wonders how someone that was obviously educated (uh she was offered a job with a publishing house) could toss her life away for a jerk like Rich.
Where Kathi is gullible, Crystal is manipulative and scheming. She had a bad childhood, but that doesn't excuse her actions. She's a sociopath. She ends up with 2 strange friends, a fellow loan analyst and a homeless woman that's quasi-stalking her.
How everything wraps up is a bit too perfect and nice and almost HEA for a thriller. It left me shaking my head a bit, but I still have to say, I enjoyed this book and truthfully it was probably one of the best books I've read this year so far.
August 3, 2018
Excellent book.. Fast paced and easy to follow for the most part as the story is told from two points of view but the two narrators are worlds apart in personality so their tales are easy to keep separate.
The ending was maybe a little too pat but in honsesty, I still highly recommend to anyone who likes a suspenseful story where the bad guy is fed some justice.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.
The ending was maybe a little too pat but in honsesty, I still highly recommend to anyone who likes a suspenseful story where the bad guy is fed some justice.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.
August 22, 2018
What She Gave Away by author Catharine Riggs is a great thriller told from two points of view. I loved it!
Crystal Love is a bored bank financial analysts who likes to play dangerous games. Life ending games, tear people's lives apart and watch type of games.
Kathi is a rich newly widowed, she was Rich anyways. Now she begs publishers to look at the romance novels she writes. We read her side while she spirals down, and up, then down etc after the death and new shocking secrets her late husband hide.. She seems like a good woman but she isn't perfect, she has her own secrets just like Crystal Love.
I would recommend this book as a quick and easy to read with some big twists and good story line.
Crystal Love is a bored bank financial analysts who likes to play dangerous games. Life ending games, tear people's lives apart and watch type of games.
Kathi is a rich newly widowed, she was Rich anyways. Now she begs publishers to look at the romance novels she writes. We read her side while she spirals down, and up, then down etc after the death and new shocking secrets her late husband hide.. She seems like a good woman but she isn't perfect, she has her own secrets just like Crystal Love.
I would recommend this book as a quick and easy to read with some big twists and good story line.
November 16, 2019
What She Gave Me
In this case, the "she" is Catharine Riggs, who wrote this excellent story. She gave me new ideas, an exceptional plot and a number of hours spent entirely involved in reading an unusual story. My first thought is that I can't remember a novel in which the story revolves around a woman who is a "bad guy." And thereby hangs a tale. Since I was six, I've always been on the hunt for a really good story. This is that book. I won't summarize the plot. I don't think I could without ruining someone's surprise. Ms Riggs had a wonderful writing future ahead of her if her plans include more novels of this genre. As someone who likes to write, I'm really envious of her talent.
In this case, the "she" is Catharine Riggs, who wrote this excellent story. She gave me new ideas, an exceptional plot and a number of hours spent entirely involved in reading an unusual story. My first thought is that I can't remember a novel in which the story revolves around a woman who is a "bad guy." And thereby hangs a tale. Since I was six, I've always been on the hunt for a really good story. This is that book. I won't summarize the plot. I don't think I could without ruining someone's surprise. Ms Riggs had a wonderful writing future ahead of her if her plans include more novels of this genre. As someone who likes to write, I'm really envious of her talent.
April 24, 2019
I heard the author read from her work at a crime convention in Canada recently and was delighted by the protagonist's distinctive, snarky, delightfully wicked voice. I bought the book straight after the reading and was not disappointed. In fact, there are TWO equally distinctive voices in the narrative--Kathi, the privileged widow of a banker whose world is rapidly falling apart, and Crystal Love, an unloved (and possibly unlovable) financial analyst, who seems hell-bent on revenge. Highly entertaining.
July 29, 2018
Lots to unpack here. Review to come.
September 9, 2018
Susan
This got my interest from the start and I could not do anything else until I finished it - great book
This got my interest from the start and I could not do anything else until I finished it - great book
June 20, 2019
Great first novel!
Catherine Riggs wrote an interesting page-tuner, which, while it doesn’t follow my idea of a thriller, really gets the reader involved in the tale. I enjoyed the ending very much!
Catherine Riggs wrote an interesting page-tuner, which, while it doesn’t follow my idea of a thriller, really gets the reader involved in the tale. I enjoyed the ending very much!
August 3, 2018
I received a free copy of What She Gave Away from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to like What She Gave Away. The synopsis alone was enough to make me completely rearrange me review schedule when it showed up in my email. I love psychological thrillers and I really wanted to read something with a manipulative sociopath at the center of the story.
There is nothing that will make me a lifelong fan than a writer that manages to make me root for a character I can’t stand. A villain protagonist done properly is the most intriguing thing in the world.
Unfortunately, What She Gave Away started off on the wrong foot because it has alternating first-person. It was mentioned in the synopsis but apparently I was distracted by everything else. It gets even worse because it’s alternating first-person and parallel timelines. These are two tropes that I think are overused in psychological thrillers.
Yes, they build tension and help control pacing but they’re unnecessarily confusing. I don’t want to flip back and forth to figure out when in the story I am, especially since I read on a Kindle. It’s inconvenient and annoying. There is nothing wrong with non-linear storytelling but let’s be more creative than stating the date at the beginning of every chapter.
I think I’m ranted enough on the structure of What She Gave Away. Time to talk about the characters.
I hated both Kathi and Crystal. That does not mean they were not well-written. At the same time, I was actually fascinated by both of them at the beginning. Kathi was so sad and pathetic that I actually really sympathized with her at the beginning. There was something really authentic about her at first. Riggs really managed to convey a woman who had been so completely destroyed by her husband.
The interspersion of her diary entries really helped give me insight into her character since it showed she wasn’t always so broken. It was just horrifying to see the girl with huge ambitions become this isolated and pitiful woman with nothing but her dreams.
Crystal completely captivated me. She was awful. I hated her and I couldn’t stop reading. She had no empathy. She was a sociopath willing to manipulate anything to get her way. It was terrifying. She really didn’t care about anyone. I love reading about characters like her.
I just wish Riggs had taken more risks. So many of Crystal’s plans just felt contrived. Also it really seemed like Riggs wasn’t willing to take things far enough. She really could have pushed the envelope more. She had this great set-up and then she just decided to play it safe in the end. Especially the climax. I’m really trying to avoid spoilers but it was disappointing.
The ending was really too neat. Riggs tried to leave hints that things weren’t perfect but really it was too clean. It just lacked the grit and darkness of the rest of the novel. Things don’t always have to wrap up in a bow. Things are allowed to be messy in books. Especially, since it really didn’t seem to fit with the characters we were shown for the various characters.
Honestly, I have a lot to say about this book unfortunately it’s not being released until September so I really don’t want to spoil anything at all. In a few months, I might revisit the book in more detail. What She Gave Away hit that perfect balance between something that managed to interest me and still something I had a lot of issues about it so I want to discuss everything.
Overall, What She Gave Away was a fairly typical psychological thriller with a predictable twist. The characters were well-developed but not women you would want to befriend. It felt a little safe. I give it a solid C.
What She Gave Away will be released on September 4th, 2018.
I really wanted to like What She Gave Away. The synopsis alone was enough to make me completely rearrange me review schedule when it showed up in my email. I love psychological thrillers and I really wanted to read something with a manipulative sociopath at the center of the story.
There is nothing that will make me a lifelong fan than a writer that manages to make me root for a character I can’t stand. A villain protagonist done properly is the most intriguing thing in the world.
Unfortunately, What She Gave Away started off on the wrong foot because it has alternating first-person. It was mentioned in the synopsis but apparently I was distracted by everything else. It gets even worse because it’s alternating first-person and parallel timelines. These are two tropes that I think are overused in psychological thrillers.
Yes, they build tension and help control pacing but they’re unnecessarily confusing. I don’t want to flip back and forth to figure out when in the story I am, especially since I read on a Kindle. It’s inconvenient and annoying. There is nothing wrong with non-linear storytelling but let’s be more creative than stating the date at the beginning of every chapter.
I think I’m ranted enough on the structure of What She Gave Away. Time to talk about the characters.
I hated both Kathi and Crystal. That does not mean they were not well-written. At the same time, I was actually fascinated by both of them at the beginning. Kathi was so sad and pathetic that I actually really sympathized with her at the beginning. There was something really authentic about her at first. Riggs really managed to convey a woman who had been so completely destroyed by her husband.
The interspersion of her diary entries really helped give me insight into her character since it showed she wasn’t always so broken. It was just horrifying to see the girl with huge ambitions become this isolated and pitiful woman with nothing but her dreams.
Crystal completely captivated me. She was awful. I hated her and I couldn’t stop reading. She had no empathy. She was a sociopath willing to manipulate anything to get her way. It was terrifying. She really didn’t care about anyone. I love reading about characters like her.
I just wish Riggs had taken more risks. So many of Crystal’s plans just felt contrived. Also it really seemed like Riggs wasn’t willing to take things far enough. She really could have pushed the envelope more. She had this great set-up and then she just decided to play it safe in the end. Especially the climax. I’m really trying to avoid spoilers but it was disappointing.
The ending was really too neat. Riggs tried to leave hints that things weren’t perfect but really it was too clean. It just lacked the grit and darkness of the rest of the novel. Things don’t always have to wrap up in a bow. Things are allowed to be messy in books. Especially, since it really didn’t seem to fit with the characters we were shown for the various characters.
Honestly, I have a lot to say about this book unfortunately it’s not being released until September so I really don’t want to spoil anything at all. In a few months, I might revisit the book in more detail. What She Gave Away hit that perfect balance between something that managed to interest me and still something I had a lot of issues about it so I want to discuss everything.
Overall, What She Gave Away was a fairly typical psychological thriller with a predictable twist. The characters were well-developed but not women you would want to befriend. It felt a little safe. I give it a solid C.
What She Gave Away will be released on September 4th, 2018.
August 1, 2018
Round up to 3.5 stars. Review to come at AAR.
November 30, 2019
As seen on my blog:
There's a lot this book was trying to be, but it unfortunately only managed to be a few of those things. What She Gave Away was readable, and definitely entertaining. I'll admit that I flew through it pretty quickly, was able to maintain satisfaction with the way it wrapped up, but the shock value just wasn't hard-hitting enough for what I've come to expect from my thrillers.
Crystal Love opens this one up with quite the line: "I've targeted the sperm donor". She goes on to detail her weight and the interview for a job we'll see her working in for much of the novel. We then move on to Kathi, the new widow of a wealthy bank owner. What She Gave Away alternates between the perspectives of these two ladies, as well as between the years of 2015 and 2016 (which boded well for about two chapters and then it was a flurry of flipping back and forth to remember what year and month we were hearing from). Their paths cross in an obvious way, but it soon begins an intertwining that isn't so expected.
The pacing was the saving grace for me. What She Gave Away read like the thriller/suspense novel that it was written to be, with the right amount of twists and an ending that was written for the big screen, but it all still felt..lacking. Crystal was too one-dimensional, and Kathi, painted to be slow and dense, would suddenly say something that conflicted heavily with that intent. I could have used more back-story, which simultaneously built character. I never felt more than mild to moderate concern for any character, could have had the story end in a multitude of ways and just shrugged and said: "hmm, okay, cool".
However, this is a great read to start you off on your spring titles. One to get you ready to just sit out in the sun and do some quick reading while soaking up the rays we've waited all winter for.
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*I participated in the blog tour for this book with TLC Blog Tours, and was sent a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.*
There's a lot this book was trying to be, but it unfortunately only managed to be a few of those things. What She Gave Away was readable, and definitely entertaining. I'll admit that I flew through it pretty quickly, was able to maintain satisfaction with the way it wrapped up, but the shock value just wasn't hard-hitting enough for what I've come to expect from my thrillers.
Crystal Love opens this one up with quite the line: "I've targeted the sperm donor". She goes on to detail her weight and the interview for a job we'll see her working in for much of the novel. We then move on to Kathi, the new widow of a wealthy bank owner. What She Gave Away alternates between the perspectives of these two ladies, as well as between the years of 2015 and 2016 (which boded well for about two chapters and then it was a flurry of flipping back and forth to remember what year and month we were hearing from). Their paths cross in an obvious way, but it soon begins an intertwining that isn't so expected.
The pacing was the saving grace for me. What She Gave Away read like the thriller/suspense novel that it was written to be, with the right amount of twists and an ending that was written for the big screen, but it all still felt..lacking. Crystal was too one-dimensional, and Kathi, painted to be slow and dense, would suddenly say something that conflicted heavily with that intent. I could have used more back-story, which simultaneously built character. I never felt more than mild to moderate concern for any character, could have had the story end in a multitude of ways and just shrugged and said: "hmm, okay, cool".
However, this is a great read to start you off on your spring titles. One to get you ready to just sit out in the sun and do some quick reading while soaking up the rays we've waited all winter for.
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*I participated in the blog tour for this book with TLC Blog Tours, and was sent a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.*
July 28, 2019
This book took me quite awhile to finish solely because I frequently lost interest and was predominantly bored while reading this.
I feel bad saying this about the author's book, but I was disgusted with every character in it; whether a major one or secondary. Most of the characters were absent of any type of personal growth and two of the major characters had minimum personal growth all the way to the finish. I couldn't get into or "root" along with any of the characters in this story, either. There are authors out there that write their stories so well that their readers will find themselves hoping and/or feeling some small percentage of good qualities (perhaps even ones the character no longer possesses further in the story) in even their villains/protagonists! This has happened in quite a few debut novels I've read, as well.
Again, and with all due respect for the author as I've read of her extensive studies and degree in Literature and the Fine Arts as well as some employment information, everything in this storyline was predictable. Not only was it extremely predictable, but some of the actions, dialogue and settings were terribly cliché. They've been done, seen and heard in countless books, movies and even storylines of some video games! There was absolutely nothing anchoring me down into reading it but steel-like willpower hoping the storyline changed somehow! It must start getting better some time! It never did, though. The book was finished with a sigh of relief, gratitide that I borrowed it from Amazon's Kindle library instead of ever purchasing my own digital/hard copy thereby moving itself into my own, and complete dissatisfaction that I wasn't swept away by some different world and/or realit now desperately needing to start another book to replace my current disappointment and hope again I'm enthralled and hanging on every word! Even 50% of the words!
I feel bad saying this about the author's book, but I was disgusted with every character in it; whether a major one or secondary. Most of the characters were absent of any type of personal growth and two of the major characters had minimum personal growth all the way to the finish. I couldn't get into or "root" along with any of the characters in this story, either. There are authors out there that write their stories so well that their readers will find themselves hoping and/or feeling some small percentage of good qualities (perhaps even ones the character no longer possesses further in the story) in even their villains/protagonists! This has happened in quite a few debut novels I've read, as well.
Again, and with all due respect for the author as I've read of her extensive studies and degree in Literature and the Fine Arts as well as some employment information, everything in this storyline was predictable. Not only was it extremely predictable, but some of the actions, dialogue and settings were terribly cliché. They've been done, seen and heard in countless books, movies and even storylines of some video games! There was absolutely nothing anchoring me down into reading it but steel-like willpower hoping the storyline changed somehow! It must start getting better some time! It never did, though. The book was finished with a sigh of relief, gratitide that I borrowed it from Amazon's Kindle library instead of ever purchasing my own digital/hard copy thereby moving itself into my own, and complete dissatisfaction that I wasn't swept away by some different world and/or realit now desperately needing to start another book to replace my current disappointment and hope again I'm enthralled and hanging on every word! Even 50% of the words!
May 14, 2019
This had a twist at the end and the editing was good. The problem was that the characters were, well... not very likable. I wasn't really "rooting" for anyone in the book and I guess that why I chose to rate it as "it was OK" rather than "I liked it." Basically everyone in the book should've gone to jail. Well, maybe not one of the main characters, but she was portrayed as such an emotionally abused wife with ZERO backbone that you didn't really feel sorry for her and her facade of a privileged society wife. She needs therapy. Everyone in the book needs therapy. The writing wasn't that great, as the author re-iterated many times about people's weight. We get it, she's fat. That's not an excuse and had nothing to do with her being a raging conniving bitch. OVERCOME, PEOPLE! OVERCOME all the bad crap that's happened to you in the past and just choose to be a good person. It's really not that difficult. The epilogue was kind of lackluster. Can't believe all these people just walked away with no consequences to their actions. Maybe they skipped town or ran away. I don't think it ever said. Anyway, it only took me a day to read (slow day at work) so I guess it was better than watching paint dry.
September 12, 2018
It should be the first and last!
First, why a great writer like Dugoni would say this is superb is beyond me. Second, the story had several things going on and SPOILER ALERT; It was easy to know Crystal was Rich and Kathi's daughter! Pick a plot; revenge of a scorned daughter, downfall of a crooked bank CEO, scorned daughter turns murderer! To try and pull them altogether just made for a book that I couldn't wait to finish!
First, why a great writer like Dugoni would say this is superb is beyond me. Second, the story had several things going on and SPOILER ALERT; It was easy to know Crystal was Rich and Kathi's daughter! Pick a plot; revenge of a scorned daughter, downfall of a crooked bank CEO, scorned daughter turns murderer! To try and pull them altogether just made for a book that I couldn't wait to finish!
November 11, 2023
A decent read but the ending was just silly
November 12, 2020
The main characters inner dialogue is extremely childish and irritating. Couldnt get past it
August 8, 2018
In my opinion, What She Gave Away by Catharine Riggs is a mild psychological thriller. This story is packed full of murder, suicide, banking fraud and even more lies and manipulation. But who is at fault or is it just a series of unfortunate tragic events? The main characters, Crystal and Kathi, are both unreliable narrators which slightly complicates matters.
Crystal is an intelligent, conniving banker who seems to leave a trail of destruction behind her. Her actions are motivated by an underlying hate for everyone she comes in contact with. Crystal quietly plays a psychological game of "whats the worst that can happen" to anyone that might upset her. Often Crystal will manipulate circumstances resulting in harm to those around her.
Kathi is a naive trophy wife who drinks so much that she doesn't even know how to formulate her own opinions much of the time. She struggles to survive and conform to society's expectations of her. In the midst of complete financial disaster Kathi strives to keep some sense of normality in the life she has created. Her world is slowly collapsing around her and she has no idea how to help herself or who to trust.
The main conflict in the story is manipulated by Crystal's actions. She is the catalyst behind everything that happens. Psychologically traumatized during her childhood, Crystal just wants to internally rage and secretly plot to destroy the lives around her. As the story progresses, Crystal gets more and more brave and her actions cause more and more harm. Add in a probation officer who has connected a few dots and is keen on investigating suspicious suicides and you have a story!
What are my overall impressions? I think the writing style is on point despite other reviewers complaints about the alternating point of view. That being said, I would have liked to know more about what Kathi was actually thinking. The novel has a first person point of view for Kathi but yet she doesn't even seem to have an opinion much of the time so I found it hard to connect with her character. The length of the novel was appropriate and didn't seem too lengthy. Crystal was sneaky and manipulative, but she could have come across as being more paranoid; she was too confident.
My two big criticisms of the novel are the suspense and the conclusion. There wasn't enough drama and suspense for me to really say it was a huge thriller. It was more on point with say a John Grisham novel than of a nail bitting thriller.
Secondly, the conclusion was too lengthy and tidy for me. I would have omitted the Epilogue completely and just wrapped up the novel without it. And why jump to 2020? Without giving away the ending, why tie things up so neatly? Leave something for the imagination or unknown and don't give us a happy, we are all friends ending to a story starring two characters who are morally corrupt and have a distorted sense of reality.
If thrillers are your thing, I say give it a chance! I enjoyed reading What She Gave Away by Catharine Riggs and if it were not for the ending and a bit more suspense, I would have given it 5 out of 5.
I also want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the chance to read and review the Kindle copy of this book.
Happy Reading!
Crystal is an intelligent, conniving banker who seems to leave a trail of destruction behind her. Her actions are motivated by an underlying hate for everyone she comes in contact with. Crystal quietly plays a psychological game of "whats the worst that can happen" to anyone that might upset her. Often Crystal will manipulate circumstances resulting in harm to those around her.
Kathi is a naive trophy wife who drinks so much that she doesn't even know how to formulate her own opinions much of the time. She struggles to survive and conform to society's expectations of her. In the midst of complete financial disaster Kathi strives to keep some sense of normality in the life she has created. Her world is slowly collapsing around her and she has no idea how to help herself or who to trust.
The main conflict in the story is manipulated by Crystal's actions. She is the catalyst behind everything that happens. Psychologically traumatized during her childhood, Crystal just wants to internally rage and secretly plot to destroy the lives around her. As the story progresses, Crystal gets more and more brave and her actions cause more and more harm. Add in a probation officer who has connected a few dots and is keen on investigating suspicious suicides and you have a story!
What are my overall impressions? I think the writing style is on point despite other reviewers complaints about the alternating point of view. That being said, I would have liked to know more about what Kathi was actually thinking. The novel has a first person point of view for Kathi but yet she doesn't even seem to have an opinion much of the time so I found it hard to connect with her character. The length of the novel was appropriate and didn't seem too lengthy. Crystal was sneaky and manipulative, but she could have come across as being more paranoid; she was too confident.
My two big criticisms of the novel are the suspense and the conclusion. There wasn't enough drama and suspense for me to really say it was a huge thriller. It was more on point with say a John Grisham novel than of a nail bitting thriller.
Secondly, the conclusion was too lengthy and tidy for me. I would have omitted the Epilogue completely and just wrapped up the novel without it. And why jump to 2020? Without giving away the ending, why tie things up so neatly? Leave something for the imagination or unknown and don't give us a happy, we are all friends ending to a story starring two characters who are morally corrupt and have a distorted sense of reality.
If thrillers are your thing, I say give it a chance! I enjoyed reading What She Gave Away by Catharine Riggs and if it were not for the ending and a bit more suspense, I would have given it 5 out of 5.
I also want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the chance to read and review the Kindle copy of this book.
Happy Reading!
March 25, 2019
Moving right along with my streak of completely unlikable and unsympathetic characters headlining novels, I've moved on to the fantastically dark and devious debut What She Gave Away by Catharine Riggs. Featuring two timelines and two first person points of view with female protagonists that are polar opposites, I highly enjoyed the manipulations and resulting devastation. Catharine Riggs ultimately explores whether or not your past will catch up with you--and if will it be your undoing.
Kathi Wright has been a privileged wife controlled by her bank president husband since they were both in college. Living in the exclusive, expensive Montecito neighborhood, she thought that they had a perfect marriage--until her husband was ran over by a train. Officially deemed a suicide, she'd been living in a daze of wine and depression ever since. And then the FBI seizes her husband's assets, and it turns out he'd been under investigation before he'd died for fraud. Kathi's entire life is in shambles, with no money and so-called friends disappearing by the second. She has such a large and trusting heart that she's easily manipulated. Add in the large quantities of booze that she's ingesting, and she's a walking disaster as she tries to survive in a lifestyle that's foreign to her.
Crystal Love is a loan analyst at Kathi's husband's bank, and she has a lifetime of hurt and humiliation fueling her every move. Being on the plus size with no family or friends, she likes to interfere with those around her who slight her--and she hurts them back in the most devious and painful ways possible while she stays anonymous. When she sniffs out corruption at the highest levels of the bank, she can't help but get involved to get her revenge, and she has no idea that it will go so far that she will walk right into danger herself.
I was finishing this book up during my son's Taekwondo sparring class, and one of the instructors asked "So, what did she give away?" I was able to answer this 20-year-old's question rather succinctly since I was finished, realizing what the act was that spawned the title. I really loved that I didn't know this throughout the majority of the book. It made everything so much more suspenseful and intriguing.
I give What She Gave Away a 4.5 out of 5. I had a hard time putting this book down as I waited for Crystal's past timeline to meet up with Kathi's current timeline, and I knew that it was going to be explosive when they met. The diverse Santa Barbara settings were rich and vibrantly painted, from the tony neighborhood that Kathi occupied to the less-ritzy area that Crystal lived in. The pacing was great, with the alternating chapters/timelines hooking me and keeping me interesting to see where things were intersecting. The two main characters were not the most likable or relatable, but they were interesting in a hot mess sort of way. The writing flowed nicely, and I simply enjoyed the author's style.
(Also on Bewitched Bookworms. Book received for free in exchange for honest review for TLC Book Tours blog tour.)
Kathi Wright has been a privileged wife controlled by her bank president husband since they were both in college. Living in the exclusive, expensive Montecito neighborhood, she thought that they had a perfect marriage--until her husband was ran over by a train. Officially deemed a suicide, she'd been living in a daze of wine and depression ever since. And then the FBI seizes her husband's assets, and it turns out he'd been under investigation before he'd died for fraud. Kathi's entire life is in shambles, with no money and so-called friends disappearing by the second. She has such a large and trusting heart that she's easily manipulated. Add in the large quantities of booze that she's ingesting, and she's a walking disaster as she tries to survive in a lifestyle that's foreign to her.
Crystal Love is a loan analyst at Kathi's husband's bank, and she has a lifetime of hurt and humiliation fueling her every move. Being on the plus size with no family or friends, she likes to interfere with those around her who slight her--and she hurts them back in the most devious and painful ways possible while she stays anonymous. When she sniffs out corruption at the highest levels of the bank, she can't help but get involved to get her revenge, and she has no idea that it will go so far that she will walk right into danger herself.
I was finishing this book up during my son's Taekwondo sparring class, and one of the instructors asked "So, what did she give away?" I was able to answer this 20-year-old's question rather succinctly since I was finished, realizing what the act was that spawned the title. I really loved that I didn't know this throughout the majority of the book. It made everything so much more suspenseful and intriguing.
I give What She Gave Away a 4.5 out of 5. I had a hard time putting this book down as I waited for Crystal's past timeline to meet up with Kathi's current timeline, and I knew that it was going to be explosive when they met. The diverse Santa Barbara settings were rich and vibrantly painted, from the tony neighborhood that Kathi occupied to the less-ritzy area that Crystal lived in. The pacing was great, with the alternating chapters/timelines hooking me and keeping me interesting to see where things were intersecting. The two main characters were not the most likable or relatable, but they were interesting in a hot mess sort of way. The writing flowed nicely, and I simply enjoyed the author's style.
(Also on Bewitched Bookworms. Book received for free in exchange for honest review for TLC Book Tours blog tour.)
March 20, 2019
I was really excited to start this book and thankfully it was actually a pretty fast read. Instead of chapters it just flip flops between Crystal and Kathi's voice so you keep thinking you'll read one more section but then you realize you've just read half the book.
What's really interesting is there is so many reference's to Crystal's weight and Kathi's skinniest and I thought that was just really strange. I'm actually going through a body image boot camp and we talk a lot about that and society's obsession with it. Now, had I read this book even six months ago I don't think I would have even noticed it but now I do, and it's constantly being tossed into your face and it's aggravating because why is Crystal's weight such a big deal? Does it make her seem more like a villain than if she was skinny? Is Kathi more sympathetic because she's smaller so if it were a show down in the street you'd think, "Oh poor Kathi- Crystal is going to kill her!"? It's strange and that kind of turned me off on the book once I realized how often this was going to be referenced.
I liked the premise of this book, I liked the idea of the story and I though this would have made a really great thriller IF a lot of clues weren't given in the first 100 pages or so. I was able to figure out how the book was going to end, the path to get there, the entire thing. That was pretty disappointing. Still, I hung in until the last page because I wanted to see if by chance I was wrong but nope. I was completely on target and I was a little disappointed- I wanted a crazy twist at the end that blew me out of the water but it didn't happen.
Also, Crystal is set up as a villain but honestly? I kind of liked her. Which probably says something about me as a person, but her birth parents were kind of terrible people. It doesn't justify what Crystal ultimately does to them but I understand why she would do it. It also kind of makes you wonder how far the apple really goes from the tree, right?
In the end, I'm giving this one a solid 3 stars. I liked it, no more and no less. It has a good plot, my only complaint is I wish I didn't really make the connection so early on in the book.
What's really interesting is there is so many reference's to Crystal's weight and Kathi's skinniest and I thought that was just really strange. I'm actually going through a body image boot camp and we talk a lot about that and society's obsession with it. Now, had I read this book even six months ago I don't think I would have even noticed it but now I do, and it's constantly being tossed into your face and it's aggravating because why is Crystal's weight such a big deal? Does it make her seem more like a villain than if she was skinny? Is Kathi more sympathetic because she's smaller so if it were a show down in the street you'd think, "Oh poor Kathi- Crystal is going to kill her!"? It's strange and that kind of turned me off on the book once I realized how often this was going to be referenced.
I liked the premise of this book, I liked the idea of the story and I though this would have made a really great thriller IF a lot of clues weren't given in the first 100 pages or so. I was able to figure out how the book was going to end, the path to get there, the entire thing. That was pretty disappointing. Still, I hung in until the last page because I wanted to see if by chance I was wrong but nope. I was completely on target and I was a little disappointed- I wanted a crazy twist at the end that blew me out of the water but it didn't happen.
Also, Crystal is set up as a villain but honestly? I kind of liked her. Which probably says something about me as a person, but her birth parents were kind of terrible people. It doesn't justify what Crystal ultimately does to them but I understand why she would do it. It also kind of makes you wonder how far the apple really goes from the tree, right?
In the end, I'm giving this one a solid 3 stars. I liked it, no more and no less. It has a good plot, my only complaint is I wish I didn't really make the connection so early on in the book.
June 12, 2019
I’ll admit, I was a bit slow to start this book. I wasn’t quite sure about it at first. When reading from both Kathi and Crystal’s perspectives at the beginning I couldn’t really get a grasp on what exactly the book was about or how long it was going to take to get to any plot point. Crystal seemed emotionless, and Kathi seemed like a vapid lush who had no understanding of the world around her.
It took me a couple of weeks to get through the first third or so of the book (I refused to DNF it after reading other reviews!) and I’m glad I kept at it.
I wouldn’t say this is a thriller. Suspense, maybe.
It is centered around Crystal who seems to not only dwell on the perspectives of those around her who may be judging her, but who also is determined to make the people who have wronged her pay for their deeds. She makes little games with herself as she plots subtle, yet effective ways to bring a heaping does of Karma to those who deserve it.
Poor Kathi though...This woman has been through the wringer. She drinks out of desperation and depression. Her husband is dead, and the life she has become accustomed to has been ripped away. She is truly so naive that she really has no idea what to do or how to live.
The women are connected in a way. They are complete opposites, lead opposing lives, but their fates intertwine.
The ending to the book is actually really good. It is better than I though that it would be, and I’m actually intrigued enough to read more in the series. I do wish it had been more of a “thriller”, but I guess that could be subjective to the reader. Overall though I would definitely recommend the book because once you get about a third of the way into it and things start to tie together it is actually a fairly quick read and the ending is really good. I also like that there was a descriptive epilogue.
It took me a couple of weeks to get through the first third or so of the book (I refused to DNF it after reading other reviews!) and I’m glad I kept at it.
I wouldn’t say this is a thriller. Suspense, maybe.
It is centered around Crystal who seems to not only dwell on the perspectives of those around her who may be judging her, but who also is determined to make the people who have wronged her pay for their deeds. She makes little games with herself as she plots subtle, yet effective ways to bring a heaping does of Karma to those who deserve it.
Poor Kathi though...This woman has been through the wringer. She drinks out of desperation and depression. Her husband is dead, and the life she has become accustomed to has been ripped away. She is truly so naive that she really has no idea what to do or how to live.
The women are connected in a way. They are complete opposites, lead opposing lives, but their fates intertwine.
The ending to the book is actually really good. It is better than I though that it would be, and I’m actually intrigued enough to read more in the series. I do wish it had been more of a “thriller”, but I guess that could be subjective to the reader. Overall though I would definitely recommend the book because once you get about a third of the way into it and things start to tie together it is actually a fairly quick read and the ending is really good. I also like that there was a descriptive epilogue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2019
So..... funny story (not the book, but what happened to me while reading this book.) I read this on my Kindle. I read the first chapter, no problem. I moved onto the second chapter, but my Kindle did something it's never done before. Unbeknownst to me Ii jumped all the way to the last chapter. At first I was confused, but I thought it was just the vibe of the book. So I kept reading right through the Epilogue. I thought it was strange that there was an Epilogue at the beginning of the book, but I've seen authors do some pretty quirky things, so I went with it. When I got to the end of the book (after 2 chapters and an Epilogue), I was thinking... "Oh, was this a short story?" So I went back to the beginning to try to piece it together because I could kind of figure out what happened just from those two chapters, but I was trying to fill in the blanks. That's when I realized that my Kindle was playing tricks on me.
So, back to the story... I really enjoyed this, even though I knew how it was going to end. I may have liked it more this way, actually. I am a sucker for books with flawed characters that you still root for. This book gave me two! The story line was entertaining, the plot wasn't super thick--you could see where it was going (again, that might have been from my Kindle snafu.) but it was creative and a believable set of circumstances. I loved how cunning Crystal was, yet you were always in on her scheme. I loved how utterly ditsy and useless Kathi (with an i!) was on the surface, but you could see glimmers of her real self just below the surface. I found myself rooting for both of these women to succeed. I would definitely recommend this book. I think it checks a lot of boxes. (and I'm looking forward to the second book)
So, back to the story... I really enjoyed this, even though I knew how it was going to end. I may have liked it more this way, actually. I am a sucker for books with flawed characters that you still root for. This book gave me two! The story line was entertaining, the plot wasn't super thick--you could see where it was going (again, that might have been from my Kindle snafu.) but it was creative and a believable set of circumstances. I loved how cunning Crystal was, yet you were always in on her scheme. I loved how utterly ditsy and useless Kathi (with an i!) was on the surface, but you could see glimmers of her real self just below the surface. I found myself rooting for both of these women to succeed. I would definitely recommend this book. I think it checks a lot of boxes. (and I'm looking forward to the second book)
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